COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado  The Aztecs started off slow against Air Force in Thursday night’s 27-20 win and looked sloppy in the first half.

The defense missed some tackles, the offense couldn’t finish drives, and the kicking game was abysmal.

Was the team tired after playing three games in 13 days? The response was mixed.

“No, I was just as tired as I am every game, so I don’t think that had anything to do with it,” said junior tight end Adam Roberts.

But senior safety Nat Berhe conceded that the lack of full contact practices and the quick turnaround might have had something to do with SDSU’s lackluster start.

“Yeah, when you play three games in 13 days, it’s kind of tough on the body and tough on the mind,” Berhe said. “I give credit to the guys…. they held nothing back at the end and were ready to pull it out. But you’ve got to give credit to this Air Force team. They’re good at what they do.”

After starting the season 8-for-8 on field goals, Aztecs’ kicker Wes Feer has struggled in the last two games. Feer hit the left upright on a 37-yard field goal attempt early in the first quarter, then missed the extra point on the end of Eric Judge’s 44-yard touchdown.

Sophomore Seamus McMorrow – who has kicked off for the Aztecs all year – was pressed into duty in the second half, and he converted his first PAT, but had the second blocked by Air Force’s Troy Timmerman.

Muema hits 2,000-yard mark

By halftime, Adam Muema only had 56 yards on 13 carries, but that was enough to grant him admittance to the 2,000-yard club.

Muema came into the game with 1,963 career rushing yards, and finished with 2,049 yards. He carried 18 times for 86 yards against the Falcons.

Pumphrey does a Marshall Faulk impression

With his 117 rushing yards, D.J. Pumphrey became the first SDSU freshman running back since Marshall Faulk to notch three-straight 100-yard games. Faulk accomplished that feat in 1991.

Pumphrey had 167 yards against New Mexico State and 112 yards against Nevada.

Penalties galore

Defensive end Jordan Thomas seemed a little jittery Thursday. In the first three quarters, Thomas committed three offsides penalties that cost SDSU 15 yards. Roberts also had a false start penalty, and Tim Vizzi was penalized for unnecessary roughness on the kickoff return squad.

Air Force takes to the air

Freshman Nate Romine started the year as Air Force's fourth-string quarterback. He entered the game in the second quarter when Karson Roberts had to leave due to a concussion.

Romine showed off his arm in the third quarter when he connected with receiver Sam Gagliano on a 71-yard touchdown pass.

Aztec cheering section

The Aztecs had about 20 extra fans Thursday night. SDSU’s women’s soccer team flew out Thursday for their game against Air Force Friday evening and were in the stands to take in the football game.